Tilting Futures
Calling ALL
University Students:
Don’t miss your chance to join a transformative
summer semester internship program in Cape Town!
Eligibility:
Enrolled college or university students
up to 22 years old
Program Dates:
June 9, 2025 –
August 8, 2025
Application Deadline:
January 24, 2025
Live, learn and work in vibrant Cape Town, South Africa! Spend your summer interning with local human rights organizations as part of a global cohort in a transformational nine-week program.
With Take Action Lab Accelerator, you’ll help advance human rights work while gaining valuable experience.
Grow your perspective
and sense of agency
alongside new friends, mentors, and global leaders.
Turn your intent into
positive impact
through internships with community organizations.
Join a global community
of changemakers
creating lifelong impact in school, work, and the world.
Develop
future-ready skills
that prepare you to thrive in your career.
In Take Action Lab Accelerator, you’ll learn about the systems that intersect to support human rights, get hands-on experience interning at local organizations, and deepen your self-knowledge with an eye towards how you want to change the world.
Thanks to The Bonner Foundation and Bonner Programs at Morehouse College, and Rhodes College for partnering with us to make this program a reality!
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES
Circle of Service in Partnership with the Peace Corps
Completing Take Action Lab opens doors for alumni to expand their global impact through the Circle of Service initiative, in partnership with the Peace Corps.
Take Action Lab Accelerator is a one-of-a-kind program that puts you at the forefront of global human rights.
Based on our semester-long program, Take Action Lab Accelerator brings you the same great immersive experience in a transformative summer semester program.
Discover how you'll grow
Foundations
Weeks 1 - 2
Your journey begins with our virtual Foundations course. This course will prepare you with self-awareness and an open, learning mindset. Dive into online sessions on personal and community development, while learning about your host country. Start building new friendships as we bring the global community together.
Practicum / Immersion
Weeks 3 - 8
From there, you’ll travel to Cape Town, South Africa, where you’ll meet your cohort in person. After in-country orientation, you’ll intern with organizations advancing human rights through food security, education, women’s rights, youth empowerment, and services for refugees and migrants.
Your immersion doesn’t stop there. In Take Action Lab: Accelerator you’ll enjoy weekly learning opportunities with human rights leaders. You’ll also participate in planned activities like visiting historical sites, trying local restaurants, taking art classes, hikes, and more!
Reflections
Week 9
At the end of the program, you’ll make meaning out of the experiences you’ve had in South Africa. Through a series of guided reflections, you’ll consider how you want to integrate your new perspectives into life going forward!
About Cape Town
Host Country: Cape Town, South Africa
A MODERN CITY WITH DEEP ROOTS IN HUMAN RIGHTS
With a stunning combo of mountains and ocean, Cape Town is an amazing city that’s just waiting to wow you. It’s also the perfect place to learn about human rights. Cape Town was a hub of anti-apartheid organizing and advocacy. Today, it’s part of South Africa’s living history of transition from apartheid to one of the most inclusive constitutions in the world.
As one of South Africa’s three capitals, Cape Town is a cosmopolitan hub that proudly embraces a multicultural spirit. In the Observatory area where you’ll live, you’ll find a community of local artists, international students, young professionals, delicious restaurants and cafes, and a vibrant, welcoming community.
About
Admission & Financial Aid
Admissions
Our 3-step admissions process will help decide whether your goals are a match with this program and community.
01: Apply Online
Your journey starts here! The application takes less than 2 hours to complete and you can save your progress along the way.
02: Feasibility
If your application indicates a strong fit for Take Action Lab Accelerator, we’ll work together to confirm you can travel abroad and thrive in the program. We’ll also help guide you through things you might need to do pre-departure, such as getting a passport, securing a visa and more.
03: Offer & Enrollment
If you’re chosen to join Take Action Lab Accelerator, congrats! You’ll get an offer letter welcoming you to the program and outlining your tuition and financial aid package.
Financial Aid
Tuition for Take Action Lab Accelerator is $10,500 per semester.
For students who are part of a Bonner program, there is a discounted tuition rate of $8,000 per semester. $4,500 of this funding can come from summer internship and serviceship funds available for Bonner Scholars. Check with your school’s Bonner Program Coordinator to see if you qualify.
Financial aid may be available through your school or Tilting Futures, including an additional amount of up to $2,300 to cover flight costs for qualifying students. You can apply for financial aid directly from Tilting Futures during the admissions process.
CONNECT WITH US
Join Info Session
Learn more about this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at one of our Info Sessions.
FAQs
Q: Who is eligible for this program?
To be eligible for the Take Action Lab Accelerator, you must be enrolled as a student at a college or university and no older than a college senior aged 22.
Q: Why is this program in another country?
Getting out of what’s familiar is the first step to having a truly transforming educational experience. Your time in Cape Town is a key part of shaping that experience. You’ll explore a new country with your cohort, see the sights through diverse perspectives, and learn about how to protect human rights where anti-apartheid history happened!
Q: How is this program different from studying abroad?
When you study abroad, you may get to travel to a new place, but you’re not immersed in the community. With Take Action Lab Accelerator, you get full community immersion. You’ll work with community leaders advancing human rights and experience hands-on learning that can help you channel your passion into purpose. You’ll also explore the area through cultural outings, weekly learning opportunities with local leaders, and more.
Q: How long is Take Action Lab Accelerator?
This program is 9 weeks long. The first two weeks are focused on our virtual Foundations course, which you can do from anywhere you have internet and a laptop.
The main portion of the program is spent in Cape Town, South Africa. After an orientation that will get you familiar with your neighborhood and the local culture, you’ll enjoy 7 weeks of hands-on service-based learning with local organizations working in human rights and essential needs.
Before you fly home, we always do wrap-up and reflection sessions to help you connect what you’ve learned to where you want to go next, and prepare you to bring new perspectives and energy to your communities at home.
Q: How much is this program?
This program costs a total of $10,500. Financial aid may be available through student fundraising, resources from your school, and financial aid from Tilting Futures. You can apply for financial aid directly from Tilting Futures during the admissions process.
If you have questions about tuition and financial aid, please contact Tilting Futures’ Enrollment team at admissions@tiltingfutures.org
Q: Is there financial aid available from other sources?
Yes, there may be additional financial aid resources available. Here are a few options to explore:
- Check with departments like Africana Studies or International Studies at your school to see if they offer funding.
- Reach out to your school’s internship office or career services to see if they provide any financial or fundraising support.
- Organizing a fundraiser at your school. Just be sure to check with your Student Activities coordinator or office for any necessary rules or permissions.
- Consider starting a GoFundMe or other crowdfunding campaign.
- Talk to your advisor, faculty members, or financial aid office for more suggestions.
Q: What is included in tuition?
Tuition includes:
- Full coverage of program costs and cultural activities
- Internship matching and support Group housing for students.
- Each student has a private bedroom plus shared communal spaces.
- A stipend for basic living expenses such as food, transportation, toiletries, etc.
- Airport transportation on your arrival and departure days.
- South African-based team support and 24/7 emergency contact services.
Tuition does not include spending money for things like souvenirs and day trips.
All students will receive budgeting guidance to help you make the most of your time and resources in Cape Town.
Q: How do students get to and from South Africa?
All students fly both to South Africa and back home. Our local team will meet you at the airport upon arrival and make sure you get to your flight back home.
Q: Is Cape Town safe?
Like any major global city, Cape Town has risks. We work with you to develop appropriate practices and recommend all students familiarize themselves with your new neighborhood.
Take Action Lab provides structure, support and local knowledge to help you navigate your time in-country. In return, we ask that you follow our community guidelines, exercise responsible judgment and practice good self-care.
For more detail on our health and safety protocols, please visit our comprehensive health and safety overview.
Q: Where will I be living in Cape Town?
You’ll live in a house with other Take Action Lab Accelerator students from around the world. Your house will have a communal living, fully functional kitchen, bathrooms, and more. You’ll also have a private room where you can relax and unplug.
For more information and a video tour of one of our co-living houses in Cape Town, check out our Student Living overview.
Q: Where will I do my internship?
You’ll do your internship at one of our many nonprofit and nongovernmental partners in Cape Town. Our partners work in healthcare, media, economic mobility, LGBTQIA+ issues, and more.
As part of your application, you’ll get to tell us what inspires you. Our team will then do our best to match you with an internship placement that aligns with your passions.
Want to learn more? Check out our guide to service learning and internship placements.
Q: Can I stay in South Africa after the program ends?
You can stay if you meet visa requirements. Check your visa or the tourist stay limits for your country (typically up to 90 days). Note that program housing and staff support end on the last day of the program. Students should ensure that their travel medical insurance covers all dates away from home.
Q: Are there staff members in Cape Town with us?
Yes, we have local, knowledgeable and empathetic staff in Cape Town to provide nearby support and guidance throughout your stay. Our local team intimately knows the cultural context and is there to coach you through any bumps along the way.
Q: How will Take Action Lab help me grow and develop skills for the future?
The majority of Take Action Lab participants reported feeling more equipped to maximize their higher education experience and gained valuable skills that will benefit them in their future careers. Read the full impact report to learn more about the program’s impact.
Q: How can I talk to my parents or guardian/s about this opportunity?
We’ve got a family conversation guide for you! This guide also shares why service-based learning is so important and is meant to help you get your parents excited about this opportunity.
It also has information about the program, curriculum, admissions, financial aid, safety info, and more.
Download a copy for free and reach out to admissions@tiltingfutures.org with any questions we didn’t cover.
